“Udta Punjab” is getting more publicity from the CBFC controversy than their promotions but anyone who is waiting for the final verdict will have to wait until 13 June.
CBFC led-Pahlaj Nihalani initially demanded 89 cuts in the film and now they have settled for 13 cuts, but according to the makers these cuts were not required so, they asked the Bombay High Court to intervene.
Now the fate of “Udta Punjab” depends on the final verdict that will be given on 13 June but in yesterdayâs hearing, high court slammed CBFC in the most badass way. The questions raised on CBFC prove that our Bollywood industry deserves to have the freedom of expression and believe it or not but Judge Dharam Adhikari is the new superhero who is brilliantly trying to unmask the fascism.
A journalist of IndiaToday, Shilpa Rathnam was present at court and she live-tweeted what went down there. Her tweets will seem like a dramatic Bollywood movie as High Court spoke its mind out loud.
Here Is What Happened:
CBFC vs Udta Punjab: CBFC says "Till Tommy is a drug addict we understand he can cuss, why is he cussing after he reforms as well?" đđ
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
CBFC: We were told film is in Hindi, but both Hindi and Punjabi are spoken. Judge: Are you saying you ordered cuts without understanding?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: Give the film a certificate, what is the need for cuts?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
CBFC: There's a dialogue "Zameen banjar to aulad kanjar." I'm embarrassed to explain "kanjar".Punjab's so fertile, why are they saying this?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: Audiences are direct and open today. People born after 1980 are very mature. So why are you worried?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge to CBFC: For action to be taken you need to provoke. Multiplex audiences are discerning. How can you decide which word's right/wrong?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: Film industry is not made of glass that you need to "handle with care." If you ask for so many cuts why is the point? Audience knows.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: It comes down to only one question, does the film glorify drugs?
CBFC: Yes
Judge: Then why have you not banned the film?— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: CBFC should only certify, not censor. The public is the biggest censor. CBFC doesn't need to censor.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: Has CBFC discharged its functions from 1952 onwards with utmost care? We are fed up of all this.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: If the film is only filled with expletives then the audience won't watch the film. Why are you giving the film so much publicity?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: We want creative people to survive and the industry to survive. You have to show the reality.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge to CBFC: Do you want the Udta Punjab makers to say they don't support the use of bad language?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Udta Punjab team: Yes we will add a disclaimer that the characters in the film don't support the use of cuss words.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
HC indicates that it will set aside 12 cuts and will allow Udta Punjab to release with just 1 cut.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
The one cut is of Tommy (Shahid Kapoor) urinating and the makers of Udta Punjab have agreed to remove the scene.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
The rockstar judge in this case is Justice Dharmadhikari. (What an apt name for a judge!)
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Well, Mr. Dharam Adhikari,I am sure you made millions of fans after this hearing and I am happy to be one of them!
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates. Donât forget to like and share. Do tell us your views in the comment box below.
11 June, 2016
Avni S. Singh